VISUALIZATION OF LOSS OF 5-HT2A RECEPTORS WITH AGE IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS USING [F-18] ALTANSERIN AND POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGING

We used [F-18]altanserin and positron emission tomography (PET) to ima ge serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in humans. The highest [F-18]altanserin uptake is found in the cerebral cortex, with specific-to-nonspecific b inding ratios varying from 0.53 to 1.91 in humans between 24 and 48 ye ars of age. In all neocortical regions studied, [F-18]altanserin uptak e correlates negatively with age. No correlations were found between a ge and uptake in the cerebellum, the regional cerebral blood flow, or the time course of metabolization of [F-18]altanserin. The reduction i n cerebral 5-HT2A receptor binding thus directly reflects the loss of specific 5-HT2A receptors with age. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Scienc e Ireland Ltd.